HAMPSHIRE Constabulary is mourning the sudden death of a member of staff who was in the gym at the force training base.
The male member of staff collapsed on Friday lunchtime and despite efforts to resuscitate him he could not be saved.
The police yesterday declined to discuss the death except to confirm that it had happened at the Support and Training Headquarters, Hamble Lane, Netley.
After the death the gym, pictured, was closed off with blue and white tape normally reserved for crime scenes. But it is understood there is nothing suspicious about the circumstances and no investigation is taking place.
An ambulance spokeswoman said they were alerted at 12.42pm on Friday and arrived within five minutes of the 999 call.
They confirmed an adult male was taken in a life-threatening condition to Southampton General Hospital.
John Apter, chairman of the Hampshire branch of the Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers, said last night: “This is terrible news. The loss of any member of our family shocks us all and our thoughts and prayers are with our colleague's friends and family.”
It was unclear last night whether the coroner would have to be informed.
The member of staff is believed to have been a member of the financial investigation unit, which probes frauds and also uses the Proceeds of Crime Act to claw back seven-figure sums from convicted criminals every year.
The death is the second tragedy to hit the service in recent weeks following the death of PC Ray Hutchison, 34, a Fareham-based officer who died at his home in Emsworth, earlier this month.
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